The Zimbabwean government, through the Ministry of Finance, announced plans to build a new national stadium in Mt Hampden, a development that comes at a time when the country currently has no approved stadiums to host international football matches.
The announcement has renewed discussion around Zimbabwe’s long-standing struggles with sports infrastructure, particularly as it follows several broken promises to construct new stadiums and renovate existing ones to international standards.
One of the most notable stalled projects is the proposed Highglen Stadium. Plans for the 45,000-capacity stadium were first announced in 2019 by the Harare City Council, with the facility earmarked to be built around the Highglen area. More than five years later, no construction work had been carried out.
The council revisited the project last year, this time roping in the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) after availing 40 hectares of land for the development. Despite the renewed momentum, no works have been done to date.
Another ambitious project was proposed for Mabvuku. In 2021, former Finance deputy minister Terrence Mukupe announced plans for a new stadium through his company, Nakiso Consortium, which was engaged to build a multi-purpose stadium at an open space adjacent to Donnybrook Racecourse.
Four years later, nothing materialised. A separate plan later emerged when Scottland FC unveiled intentions to construct a 15,000-seater stadium in Mabvuku. The club reportedly secured a 30-year lease for Number One Grounds adjacent to Mabvuku High School, with the plans confirmed by then club chairman Tonderai Sakupwanya.
Construction was expected to start in early 2025, but no ground works were carried out. In December, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume reconfirmed the lease agreement, while club president Scott Sakupwanya claimed preparatory works had begun.
The situation is similar in Victoria Falls, where plans to renovate Chinotimba Stadium have also stalled.
In 2017, former Victoria Falls mayor Sifiso Mpofu announced plans to reconstruct the stadium into a 10,000-seater multi-purpose facility.
Mpofu was quoted in the media saying: “The stadium would have change rooms, entrance (ticketing) and exit facilities as well as commercial facilities. We want this to be well branded with lighting, scoreboards, security fencing and walling as well as the caretaker’s house.”
Almost a decade later, no progress has been made on the project.
Meanwhile, hopes were raised for a major facelift of the National Sports Stadium after ownership of the giant facility was transferred to the Ministry of Sports.
Former minister Kirsty Coventry announced plans for extensive renovations, including the installation of a retractable roof and upgrades to meet international standards. While renovations are currently ongoing, indications are that the venue will only be upgraded to meet CAF requirements, with the more ambitious elements of the plan, such as the retractable roof, unlikely to be implemented.
Rufaro Stadium also had a similar project but renovations only met local standards, and the stadium is still unable to host international football.
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